CARICOM about to “Implode”? Prime Ministers Clash

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned that “it is only a matter of time before Caricom implodes”.

Her comment came after St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves accused financiers reportedly linked to Trinidad’s ruling United National Congress of helping his opponents ahead of St Vincent’s November 27 election.

At a rally, Gonsalves claimed supporters connected to Trinidad’s United National Congress were already in his country backing the opposition. He suggested they were motivated by economic interests, saying Trinidad’s economy was struggling while St Vincent’s had been growing quickly.

Persad-Bissessar strongly denied the allegations. Instead, she pointed to questions surrounding how members of Gonsalves’ family obtained three luxury apartments in Trinidad, calling it ironic for him to accuse others of greed while that matter is under investigation. She also challenged him to name the people he claims are interfering or to stop misleading his citizens.

She added that some regional leaders have been openly involved in elections outside their borders.

Persad-Bissessar’s warning comes a month after she reaffirmed that Trinidad and Tobago has no intention of leaving Caricom, even as her government pursues stronger ties with countries outside the region.